AIMHIGHER LONDON WEST
The Aimhigher London West (Ah:LW) initiative was officially launched on 27 November 2004. This is a half-a-million pound programme aiming to help the government achieve its target of 50% participation in higher education (HE), of 18-30 year olds, by 2010. Aimhigher is a national initiative particularly targeting youngsters who might otherwise not consider HE as viable option. Linking in with other widening participation initiatives funded by the government, it involves working in partnership with educational institutions across West London, such as schools, the FE/HE sector, the Connexions service and local Learning Partnerships.
Managing the Project are Jehan Khan and Madeleine King, both based at Thames Valley University, the lead organisation in the London West Partnership. Between them, they have extensive experience in local government, equality issues, widening participation, community development and FE/HE. This varied experience will be invaluable for developing Ah:LW from a variety of different perspectives. As Jehan explains: "My post is funded by the Ah:LW Partnership, but is based within Thames Valley University, so at all times I am representing and supporting both of these organisations. This is actually easier than you would think, as the whole ethos behind the initiative is to pool resources, experience, ideas and knowledge to help youngsters progress on to HE. All the partners I liaise with appreciate the greatest strength we have is in a co-ordinated approach."
Projects that will be funded by the Partnership, to name just a few, include:
- subject taster days
- masterclasses
- visits to universities
- residential summer schools
- vocational excellence workshops
- student ambassador training
- the development of new vocational pathways for students
- involved with work-based learning programmes
- specific research projects that complement Aimhigher strategic aims
All these initiatives aim to give school children, as well as existing college students, the opportunity to experience life at university, and to help encourage those who have the potential but who might not otherwise consider entering HE. These opportunities are open to all secondary schools and Further Education Colleges in the West London area.
Management and Strategic Overview
The London West Aimhigher Partnership has established an Area Steering Group (ASG) to:
- Set and develop the strategy for the new partnership
- Work towards integration of the two initiatives Aimhigher and the higher education based Partnerships for Progression, by March 2006
As well as the Area Steering Group, three sub-groups have evolved over the last 12 months, each taking responsibility for specific aspects of Aimhigher, as follows:
- Work Based Learning
- Further Education to Higher Education Transition
- Finance (Integration)
The Aimhigher London West Partnership will collaborate extensively with the national Aimhigher AchieveAbility project. It will be involved in raising aspirations among learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). This will be achieved through outreach work with student ambassadors with SpLD, and by working closely with partner Universities.
If you wish to find out more about the work of London West Aimhigher, please call Maggie Farmer in the partnership office on 020 8231 0194, or email her at maggie.farmer@tvu.ac.uk. Alternatively you can visit our website at
